Public Use Policy for Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance Lands

We are excited to welcome you to visit the many permanently protected lands stewarded by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance! Habitat protection and restoration is a key part of our mission to conserve habitat for birds and other native species. Permitted and prohibited uses at these properties, in addition to information about access and access restrictions, are outlined below. Please contact us at info@swibirds.org if you have any questions or need additional clarification.

Permitted uses

Visitors are invited to explore and enjoy nature through birding and other wildlife watching, hiking, photography, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Visitors are also encouraged to participate in volunteer activities happening throughout the year that help us care for the land. 

Research activities and group educational uses are encouraged on these properties, but require permission in advance to ensure protection of the resource. Please contact the appropriate sanctuary managers. 

Prohibited uses

Activities with the potential to disturb wildlife are prohibited. This includes (but is not limited to) the use of bikes or ATVs/UTVs/snowmobiles, drone flying, target shooting, geocaching, overnight stays and camping, campfires/bonfires, and foraging or collecting specimens, which can all damage habitat and upset the balance of delicate ecosystems.

Pets are not allowed on these properties with the exception of working service dogs, which must remain leashed.

Hunting and trapping are also prohibited, with the following exceptions:

• Hillside Prairie: 

• As a requirement of receiving Knowles Nelson Stewardship funds to help purchase the land, this property is open to public hunting during regulated Wisconsin DNR seasons. 

• Use of non-toxic ammunition is strongly encouraged to limit the dangerous environmental effects of lead. 

• Visitors to the property during these seasons are encouraged to wear blaze orange for visibility.

• Erstad Prairie: 

• As part of an agreement with the Wisconsin DNR, hunting is permitted on this property.

• Use of non-toxic ammunition is strongly encouraged to limit the dangerous environmental effects of lead. 

• Visitors to the property during these seasons are encouraged to wear blaze orange for visibility. 

• Fair Meadows, Faville Grove, Goose Pond: hunting at these properties may occur on an as-needed basis to manage deer populations, preventing damage to habitats. Sanctuary managers may grant permission on a case-by-case basis to volunteers who assist with sanctuary management projects throughout the year. Only non-toxic ammunition may be used.

Access restrictions and limitations for SoWBA lands

Though the vast majority of sanctuary lands are open for exploration, please note the following exceptions.

public access is prohibited at all times in the following locations:

• Any lands in agricultural use.

• At the pond of Goose Pond Sanctuary to prevent disturbance to waterfowl. The closed area is bounded on the east by Goose Pond Road, on the north by Kampen Road, on the west by the railroad tracks, and on the south by Prairie Lane. See Goose Pond map.

activities or access to some of our lands may be prohibited or restricted seasonally:

• Otsego Marsh: 

• Canoeing and kayaking on Hawkos Pond is only permitted between May 1 and August 31 each year. 

• Hunting occurs on lands that border Otsego Marsh, so all access to the property is closed for the period from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to January 1 each year.

• Hillside Prairie: hunting is allowed during regulated Wisconsin DNR seasons.

• Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons in November and December.

• Erstad Prairie: hunting is allowed during regulated Wisconsin DNR seasons.

• Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons in November and December.

Public access for some locations is allowed by permission only:

• Hope Lake Bog (in order to protect the sensitive plant community of the bog): contact volunteer sanctuary managers David Musolf and Roger Packard.

• Conservation easements near Faville Grove Sanctuary (SoWBA holds conservation easements on private land north and south of Highway 89 and east of the driveway at N7710 Highway 89): contact volunteer sanctuary managers David Musolf and Roger Packard.

• Fair Meadows Sanctuary: public access is allowed during SoWBA events and field trips, including community birding days (advance registration is required for these events). Planned visits outside of these opportunities may be arranged by contacting sanctuary managers Penny and Gary Shackelford at fairmeadows@swibirds.org.

Header image: prairie at Faville Grove Sanctuary (SoWBA photo).